*<do name="Mion Onsen" alt="" address="" directions="" phone="" url="" hours="" price="" lat="" long="">If you need a nice relaxing place to go to why not go to a hotspring that also has a waterslide with a pool! Located in Nakasato Village off the 49.</do>

*<do name="Mion Onsen" alt="" address="" directions="" phone="" url="" hours="" price="" lat="" long="">If you need a nice relaxing place to go to why not go to a hotspring that also has a waterslide with a pool! Located in Nakasato Village off the 49.</do>

Revision as of 23:25, 26 October 2009

Contents

Get in

Tokamachi is accessible by train, bus, and car. The closest Shinkansen (bullet train) station is at Echigo-Yuzawa.

Get around

Tokamachi has a bus system but the easiest form of transportation is by car.

See

Tokamachi Snow Festival. Every February Tokamachi hosts a spectacular snow festival. It has a longer history than any other snow festival in Japan and is second in size only to one held in Hokkaido. The large amount of snowfall creates a picturesque winterland. The large snow sculptures are magnificent and well worth the trip to behold. Tokamachi averages near three meters of snow a year.

Kimono Festival. Every spring in the month of May, there is a kimono festival that enlivens the city. The winter and early spring are characterized by cold wet weather and heavy snowfall; the bright and colorful kimono festival is a beautiful celebration that celebrates the region's fame for kimono textiles.

Do

Be-1. Great karaoke place!

Mion Onsen. If you need a nice relaxing place to go to why not go to a hotspring that also has a waterslide with a pool! Located in Nakasato Village off the 49.

Cinema Paradise, [1]. See a movie in this cozy theater and have a snack at their nice cafe. Check their website for what's playing!

Buy

Koshihikari Rice. The best rice in Japan!

Sake. Best rice = best sake!

Eat

Ramen Kuma. Good ramen and amazing fried chicken!

Kappa Sushi. Pretty good sushi place, cheap and efficent.

Doraku Sushi. One of the better sushi places in town and still cheap!

McDonalds, Located near the back of the local Jusco. This is the only 'American' restaurant in the city and it is limited when compared to a traditonal US style Mckie D's, however when you really want a hamburger, big macs are accessible.

Sukiya. Cheap, japanese rice bowls

Louis. Located just across the Shinano river and up a small hill in the town of Kawanishi, a five minute car ride away from central Tokamachi, is Louis. This quaint cabin style restaurant and bar is a wonderful mix of east meets west. Enjoy a beer and great food while the Beatles or Elvis play in the background. The place is somewhat small, but for the right crowd can be a venue for a great evening.

Tanto. One of the best restaurants in town. Has a wide variety of japanese dishes in a great atmosphere.

Jyohachi. A great okonomiyaki (japanese omelette/pancake thing) place. Also has amazing french fries!

Daikichi. Great place for yakitori (barbeque chicken). Has two stories and plenty of room to fit parties. The chicken cheese and free salad are highly recommended.

Pizza Papa. Best pizza place in town!

Drink

Prog Town. Hip bar with cozy seating and good food.

Ark. Cool bar on the corner of Eki Dori and 117 with great cocktails and a nice second story view of the street below.

Sleep

Get out

Bijin Bayashi Forest - Great place to get with nature about 30 min from Tokamachi in Matsunoyama.

Kyororo - Nice bug museum with a section inside to make your own wood animal out of the branches taken from Bijin Bayashi. There is also a tower that you can walk up to see a great view from the top.

Akiyamago - In the nearby area of Tsunan is Akiyamago a region of beautiful rivers, forests, waterfalls, and gorges. There is a even a small suspension bridge to cross over the river by foot!

Kiyotukyo Canyon - Southeast of Tokamachi lies this beautiful canyon with amazing rock formations and foliage along with a crystal clear rushing river. You can pay 500 yen to enter the tunnels for close up views of the canyon and a small museum. You can also hike the very long (but free) trail that goes above and through the canyon.